The NHSO and Guest Conductor Christopher Zimmerman join forces on Thursday, October 13, 7:30pm, at Woolsey Hall and Sunday, October 16, 3:00pm at Shelton Intermediate for Mozart’s Clarinet featuring three of the composer’s masterpieces. This exciting program includes Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major, Symphony no. 39 in Eb Major, and Clarinet Concerto in A Major, as performed by master of the clarinet David Shifrin. Rounding out the program is a work by Yale composer Christopher Theofanidis, Muse for Strings and Harpsichord. Mozart’s Clarinet is made possible in part by the generous support of First Niagara and season media sponsor New Haven Register.
Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto remains one of his most beloved works. It gained tremendous popularity when it was featured in the film Out of Africa with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. In three cheerful movements, Mozart showcases the virtuosity of the instrument and his own skill as a composer. Clarinetist David Shifrin has a special relationship with the Clarinet Concerto, as he recorded the work in 1985 on a custom-made basset clarinet. The recording was subsequently named “Record of the Year” by Stereo Review Magazine. Mr. Shifrin is a three-time Grammy nominee, and has performed worldwide with top orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of New York, and the Cleveland Orchestra. Since 1987, Mr. Shifrin has been adjunct Professor of Clarinet at the Yale University School of Music.
CHRISTOPHER ZIMMERMAN, Guest Conductor graduated from Yale with a B.A. in Music, and received his Master’s from the University of Michigan. Throughout his career Mr. Zimmerman has worked with the Toronto Symphony, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. A champion of contemporary music, Mr. Zimmerman has conducted more than 25 premieres of composers such as Bolcom, Bresnick, Colgrass, Rouse, Sheng, Weir, and Zivkovic.
The NHSO is also pleased to announce an exciting partnership with First Niagara to present School Night at the Symphony. All Greater New Haven grade K-12 students, faculty members, and their families are invited to be guests of First Niagara’s at the October 13 Woolsey Hall performance. First Niagara presents School Night at the Symphony will expose students, teachers, and their families to classical music while cultivating a new generation of classical music lovers FREE of charge. This long standing NHSO program complements First Niagara’s commitment to youth mentoring and development programs throughout New Haven.
Tickets for First Niagara presents School Night at the Symphony or the Woolsey Hall ($10-65) and Shelton Intermediate ($35) performances can be purchased by contacting the NHSO Box Office at 203.865.0831, ext. 10 or by visiting www.NewHavenSymphony.org.
